There's excitement in the air at the gondola station: this is the starting point for the 45-minute ride to the highest cable car station in Europe, at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3,883 m). Rendezvous at the valley station: for snow sports enthusiasts 365 days a year, and in summer for hikers and mountaineers.

The journey from the Zermatt valley station to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (the highest cable car station in Europe at 3,883 meters) takes approximately 40 to 45 minutes in total. This duration includes the time needed for necessary transfers at the intermediate stations of Furi and Trockener Steg. In 2026, the experience has been further modernized with the "Matterhorn Alpine Crossing" system, which uses high-speed 3S gondolas (Crystal Ride) that feature glass floors to provide a breathtaking view of the glaciers below. The final leg from Trockener Steg to the summit takes about 9 minutes on its own. It is important to account for potential wait times during the peak summer and winter seasons, which can add another 15–20 minutes to your total transit time. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a 360-degree panorama of 38 alpine peaks over 4,000 meters high. Because the altitude gain is significant (rising over 2,200 vertical meters), travelers are often advised to take the ride slowly and stay hydrated to help their bodies adjust to the thinner air at the summit.